Topics this issue include;
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| 1. Apologies. When I first started writing this month's eNewsletter, I had intended that it would be a bit 'shorter', but
somehow or other I think that it might be a bit longer, so I apologise for the extra reading.
Having said that it might be longer, I do hope that you'll find the first topic as exciting as I have, and
that the other topics included will prove to be interesting for you. Please also remember that I'm
always very grateful for any feedback or comments (good or bad!), especially if they might help to
improve the website, information about the family, the eNewsletters - or even me!
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| 2. Some exciting News - well, I think that it is! From the time when I first had an email address, right up to the present day, I've received emails from
all over the world, mostly relating to Powditch history, although others have been about 'side-shoots'
or other connected families.
From time to time I have also been contacted by Universities and other Institutions who have had
an interest in specific individuals (e.g. William Powditch of Australia and New Zealand), or topics
(e.g. Copper and Silver in Chile), but one enquiry I received just over a week ago has opened my
eyes and rekindled a specific interest in the year 1835, and more specifically, to that year in Chile.
The email received, was from the Anna Manucci, who is a "research grant holder within the
Department of Physics, Sector of Geophysics, at the University of Bologna, in Italy", and the
reason for her email enquiry, was because her "research group deals with tsunamis", and also
because she is "collecting material about the 1835 earthquake-tsunami to popularize tsunami
science for high school students."
I have replied to Anna, and I am also hoping that our joint future correspondence might disclose
something to add more information about those directly affected by that earthquake, such as ;-
"He [i.e. John Kittridge Powditch] moved to Concepcion in 1834. The 1835 earthquake
destroyed and burnt his house and all his papers.
"John [Powditch], born in London on 19 April 1815. of whom we have had no tidings
since he sailed from Talcahuano for England about the year 1835."
In 1834, about, my father [i.e. John Kittridge Powditch] left Valparaiso for Concepcion where
he rented a farm near the City. There we lived for a short time then moved into the City
near the plaza.
The great earthquake of 1835 turned us out of house and home, the City being
completely destroyed by the Catastrophe."
Besides the above extracts from the Memoirs of Thomas Powditch (born 1826 in Chile), I also
suggested that Anna refer to the excellent book by Darwin, Charles, "The Voyage of the Beagle;
Journal of researches into the Natural History and Geology of the Countries visited during the
Voyage round the World of H.M.S.'Beagle' under command of Captain FitzRoy, R.N." (Bromley,
Kent, c1845, etc), and more especially to Chapter XIV of the latter, and to its subheading of
'CHILOE AND CONCEPCION: GREAT EARTHQUAKE' .
From page 289 onwards, from that part of the page commencing from February 20th. - right through
to the end of that same Chapter (which finishes on page 299), virtually everything refers to the 1835
earthquake and also to the tsunami which followed it, and it all makes for very interesting reading.
Should you not have access to the book I've mentioned, I thought that I would mention just two short
extracts from page 290, which refers to March 4th [1835].
"We entered the harbour of Concepcion. ........The mayor-domo of the estate quickly rode
down to tell me the terrible news of the great earthquake of the 20th [February] :- "That not
a house in Concepcion or Talcahuano (the port) was standing; that seventy villages were
destroyed; and that a great wave had almost washed away the ruins of Talcahuano. Of
this latter statement I soon saw abundant proofs - the whole coast being strewed over with
timber and furniture as if a thousand ships had been wrecked"
and later, in the same paragraph;-
"I observed that numerous fragments of rock, which, from the marine productions adhering
to them, must recently have been lying in deep water, had been cast up high on the beach;
one of these was six feet long, three broad, and two thick."
When reading Charles Darwin's written account from "The Voyage of the Beagle", and then the
words written by Thomas Powditch about his father's own loss of "his house and all his papers"
(q.v. above), I wonder whether there are other written records, either in diaries, national newspapers
or suchlike, for that event. Just as a matter of interest, do you have any knowledge or information
you could add to the above?
Well, I know that I'm a funny creature to get 'excited' by information such as the above, but
memorable events - whichever way they present themselves - all go to make up the pattern and
picture of what is called Family History. What's more, to put a person or family into a particular point
of time, and to be able to share their successes or failures, their joys or their sorrows, their gains or
their losses, brings (I believe) the family much closer together; certainly their history does present
many an insight (and eye-opener) for 21st century descendants.
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| 3. Welcome Although I have received lots of emails during October, I am only able to welcome one new addition
to this eNewsletter, albeit from a very useful contact in what is now a 'triangle' of 3 people trying to
discover how the surname of 'Powditch' came to be included as a middle name within one branch
of the MacDonald family (q.v. www.powditch.plus.com/Connections/index.htm )
I have already welcomed Murray MacDonald from South Africa (q.v. your copy of the
January/February 2005 eNewsletter, which is also available from
www.powditch.plus.com/News/index.htm ), who is descended through the Powditch
MacDonald line, so now it gives me great pleasure to also welcome on board, Robin Ewbank, from
Hampshire, UK, who emailed me in October, to say;
"Did you find the MacDonalds you were looking for? I suspect that Angus's father Lt Col
Reginald Percy MacDonald of Kingsburgh (1856-1917 died S Africa 17.12.1917) could
have married one in South Africa as one record I have is that Flora Powditch MacDonald
was his sister. She married Frederick Albert Hossack and had descendants. There is
some confusion on the MacDonald site between the families of Clarence Reginald M,
youngest son of Robert Mackenzie M, and his 1st cousin above, Reginald Percy M, son
of John Collins M. I am also descended from John Collins M through Reginald Percy's
sister Florence Ellie M (born Lucknow august 1857 during the siege). If you do find any
of the family do let me know, as I am quite closely related. Robin Ewbank (a vicar in
Hampshire, England)"
I have now put both Robin and Murray in touch with one another, and hopefully (with me being the
third part of that 'triangle') we all might be able to discover why 'Powditch' (and which) has been
inserted into their ancestors' names.
Thank you so very much, and I will be in touch again soon.
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| 4. Belated follow-ups In the July/August 2004 eNewsletter (No.15/16) I advised that "Several messages received have
been from others wanting help with their own (non-Powditch) research."
Although at the time I advised that "Kathleen Noble from Tasmania is searching for Chilean
documents relating to her Barnes family (and she mentions a Mr Alison in Chile)", my recent
expansion of the information provided to me, has led me to re-examine what Kathy had originally
sent to me, and therefore - in the hope that one or more of the eNewsletter's readers might know
something which could help her in her research - include the extra parts I'd originally omitted - as
follows;
"I was very interested to be referred to your website which contains the .....Powditch family in Chile. I was interested in the account of the Mexican and South American Mining Company and the new mine managers that came out from England. My ancestor, Philp Edward BARNES went out to Chile in late 1855 to manage the affairs of the Mexican and South American Company [at Herradura in the 1860's].
He applied to be the British Vice-Consul at Herradura, but his application was rejected. I have correspondence from the PRO from the British Consul, and it mentions Mr Alison as being the Acting Consul (1858) while the British Consul at Coquimbo, Mr David Ross, was on leave of absence. It appears that Mr Barnes was not liked by Mr Alison. I assume that this Mr Alison is the same one that is referred to in the memoirs [of Thomas Powditch of Chile (1826-1904).]
Anyway I was just wondering if you have any record of my Philip Edward BARNES at all anywhere in your research. Or do you have any knowledge of where archive material might be in Chile - I am also looking for Barnes marriage, will and death certificate in Chile."
Since receiving the above from Kathy, she has kindly proffered the following further information;
"Philip Edward Barnes died on 2nd October 1860 at Copiapo, Chile. He was buried at the English cemetery at Herradura.
On his grave it says 'Erected by his affectionate wife', and a book inscription says (in french) Caroline Barnes, given by her affectionate husband, P Edward Barnes, October 1857. However there is no record of any marriage of Philip Edward Barnes in the GRO and overseas records.
Neither have I been able to find a death certificate, or record of any will. I was told there was a fire in Santiago at some time that may have destroyed some records.
If anyone is able to assist me in finding a marriage or death record, or a will, in Chile, for Philip Edward Barnes, I would be most grateful."
Should you have any suggestions, leads, or any other information, which would lead Kathy (who lives
in Tasmania) to discover more about her ancestors, both she and I would be most grateful (if you
email me at
 , I will ensure that all messages etc will be forwarded to her)
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| 5. Are you receiving them OK? - an update Well, I did ask, so I should have been more than ready to expect a variety of replies!
Before I let you know what was the result of my question (i.e. Are you receiving them OK?), I must
say not only a very big thank you to everyone who kindly either acknowledged receipt by 'auto-reply'
or by a personal message, especially as I was much heartened by the kind words written in your
replies.
Whilst in last month's eNewsletter I wrote that;-
"I still don't know whether all of the 132 eNewsletters sent last month, have been received
OK, for I have only received receipts verifying that the message has been read by the
recipient, from some 55 'recipients' - which leaves another 77 persons needing to tell
me whether they've received the eNewsletter(s)" ,
all I can say is that of the 135 eNewsletters I sent out in early October, I've had 50 'received' receipts
to date (and two of those were from 'unsubscribers'), so I don't know whether the remaining 85
eNewsletters have arrived safely or not. Anyway, I've decided to keep sending out the eN's to every
one on my list, especially as I've had some really glowing reports re their content.
One 'thing' I have certainly had to take into consideration, is that not everyone accesses their emails
on a daily basis, whilst others have had computer problems etc, and so I therefore mustn't be 'rash'
in assuming that messages haven't been received just because they haven't been acknowledged.
Should you have such problems, or not look at messages that often, don't be 'afraid', for I'll still keep
sending the eNewsletters. If, however, you've changed (or will be changing) your email address, I
would be grateful for the new details so that I can ensure that you're kept up to date with 'events' etc
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| 6. Website updates Since the last eNewsletter (No.26, for September 2005), changes to the website have included the
following;
Amendments and Updates
 Birthdays and Anniversaries have had several names and events, etc added to the April, July, October and December sections, plus to the Master Calendar (q.v. www.powditch.plus.com/BirthdaysAndAnniversaries/index.htm ) the section about George Allen alias Powditch has been updated, although as most of the changes have been 'cosmetic', you shouldn't notice any real difference (q.v. www.powditch.plus.com/AliasPowditch/index.htm ) the Jouvelet/Powditch section ( www.powditch.plus.com/Jouvelet/index.htm) now includes the July 2004 marriage between Melissa Horpinitch (of Melbourne) and Viktor Musyt (of Ukraine) the 'Latest News' page (www.powditch.plus.com/News/latest_news.htm ), has been updated since last month.  www.powditch.plus.com/Exhibitions/index.htm which has been somewhat reduced once again (!) in topics due to some Exhibitions having finished and other information not yet to hand. I'll be very pleased to update that section if you have any details you'd like me to add. the Powditch website's Home page (www.powditch.plus.com/ ) has had a few 'tweaks', although it still remains best viewed at 800 x 600 pixels (for the moment)New Pages
the September eNewsletter has been added , and is now accessible either from the News index page at www.powditch.plus.com/News/index.htm or directly, from www.powditch.plus.com/News/enewsletter_september_2005.htm a large photo (and the only one found, to date) of the William Powditch (who went to Australia in the 1820s and settled in New Zealand in the 1830s) has been added to that section of the website, and can either be accessed by clicking on the (smaller) image on www.powditch.plus.com/WilliamPowditch/index.htm or by going direct to the new page (www.powditch.plus.com/WilliamPowditch/william_powditch_photo.htm ) I owe much gratitude to Peter Oldham of New Zealand for his permission to reproduce the photo of William Powditch on this website.Hopefully I'll have been able to update, amend and create more pages by next month's eNewsletter!
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| 7. Statistics and Code 404 problems I'm hoping that you might be able to help me re the following, and through your answers, I will then
be able to help you. So what do I mean by the latter?
Well, you know the sort of thing. You click on a web address or a link within a page, and instead of
a webpage appearing on your screen, all you see is a white screen headed 'Webpage not found',
plus a few more words inviting you to click on a site's homepage, and then to follow links from there
onwards. Also, towards the bottom of the page, will be seen, the words "Code 404".
Believe it or not, not only do I encounter such messages nearly every day when I surf the 'net, but
much worse than that, is that I know that several such messages appear to visitors whenever they
click on specific links from the Powditch website! The problem I have to date, is that although I do
know (from the monthly statistics I get from my ISP) that there are currently at least 43 URL's/Pages
which are not accessible, I just don't know which specific pages they are!
Although I haven't looked at October's statistics yet, those for the month of September reveal the
following; Of the 344 different URL's for the Powditch website, the following was revealed;-
271 pages/URL's were perfectly OK (i.e. Code 200) 1 page/URL revealed only Partial Content when viewed (i.e. Code 206) 6 pages/URL's revealed the original page or URL had been Moved Permanently (i.e. Code 301) 29 pages/URL's showed pages or URL's which hadn't been Modified (i.e. Code 304) 37 pages/URL's revealed that pages or URL's couldn't be found (i.e. Code 404)- all of which means that there must be a lot of frustration when you (or others) try to access pages
or links that no longer exist, or which have been 'moved permanently' (personally I can't see the
difference between the two, for if a page ain't there, it just isn't there, whatever the Code says!) Here
I must put my 'Guilty' cap on, and explain why you would see the above codes. First of all, when you
look at a page or URL on the site and see everything OK, that means I've done everything correctly,
so you won't see any error or Code messages. As far as I'm aware, you won't actually see a
Code 206 message, although what you might have experienced is that when you looked at a
specific page, part of it might not have been visible to you. The reason why this could occur,
revolves around how I design each page. In the early days of the website, I used what are generally
called 'frames' on each page, until, that is, I discovered that it took a lot longer to upload files onto
the internet, and also that each frame could amount to at 5 URL's being created for each page (one
for the left hand side, one for the right, one each for the top and bottom, and another for the part in
the middle!). Although I did amend many pages, it could be that there's a couple of 'frames' hanging
around in ether-space which are only showing 'Partial Content' Jumping forward to Code 304 items
(i.e. pages or URL's which haven't been modified), I am in the process of amending/updating as
many files as possible, so hopefully the number shown under this heading will reduce substantially
in coming months. - which just leaves us with the Code 301 and Code 404 items (i.e.pages/URL's
which have either been 'Moved Permanently', or 'couldn't be found'), for these (I believe) are all of
the pages I have (over the years) deleted from my website for various reasons, but which are still
being 'promoted' by some Search Engines, even though those pages are no longer being
'spidered' (more about 'spiders' and 'spidering' in next month's eNewsletter). Well, I think that I've
written enough about Code's you might see when you trawl through the world wide web, and
hopefully you'll have a better understanding of them should any appear. All I will say further, is that
whenever you see or get any of the above, but most especially Codes 404, 304, or 301, please can
you make a note of the respective page or URL/link you visited on or through the Powditch website,
and email me with the details, for it will only be that way that I'll be able to correct the problems,
and make your Powditch viewing so much better for you. Thanks for your patience in reading such
a long explanation. Ang says that I can be verbose, but I disagree, for I it's just that I write a lot of
words!!!!!
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| 8. ......and finally! After letting you know in last month's eNewsletter that our daughter had given birth to a baby girl, I
thought that I'd better let you know that Kris and her husband, Andy, have now given the little one a
name - Aimee Grace.
We think that they are two lovely names, and really reflect her beauty - but then, we are biased, like
all grandparents!!!!
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Once again, I do thank you ever so much for being a reader of this eNewsletter, and moreso, for
being either a Powditch or a Powditch-descendant.
If I owe you an email reply, or if I haven't been in contact with you for a long while, I do hope to as
soon as possible in the near future. In the meantime, I do hope that you and your family are all
keeping well, and I look forward to hearing from you sometime, especially if you have any news
(either for the website or for the Powditch Archive).
John
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